Love Is…

Hellos and Long Goodbyes

By Seabreeze

A/N: SORRY SORRY SORRY for taking so long to update! Writer's block is so stifling… to be honest, I've kind of lost interest in finishing this story. I mean I'm going to, but I can't promise that its going to live up to the first few chapters. Fifth chapter, w00t. One more to go.

Disclaimer: see chapter four.

- - - - - - - - - -

it's the art of compromise

its hello's and long goodbye's

it's the picture of our lives

isn't it crazy?

- - - - - - - - - -

A small and very pregnant woman with silky black hair down to the small of her back stood bouncing impatiently on the balls of her feet at the harbor, hands holding her swollen stomach. Her eyes ceaselessly scanned the horizon for a ship, and anyone who was watching could guess who this woman was waiting for: her husband. People passing around her smiled knowingly, but she didn't notice.

"Oeh, Jou-chan," Sano said, sauntering up. "I know I'm supposed to protect you at all times until Kenshin gets here, but we've been here since dawn and there's no sign of him yet. Why don't we go to the Akabeko for lunch? I'm starving, and I bet you are too."

"With my luck, his ship would pull in the second we turned our backs." Kaoru replied, not taking her eyes from the horizon. "If you're hungry, go grab something." She suggested absent-mindedly. Sano cursed.

"Like Kenshin'd ever let me get away with that- hey! A food stand! Its right over there, Kaoru, I'm gonna get us something to eat." There was a pause, and Kaoru sighed, knowing what Sano was waiting for. Impatiently, she reached into her kimono for a money bag and tossed it at him.

"If you spend more than a reasonable amount, I'll know." She warned him, before turning back to watch the horizon.

"Alright, alright," he grumbled, though he was grinning at the thought of finally filling his empty stomach.

Kaoru ran her hands over her own stomach, falling deep into thought. She was unbearably excited for Kenshin to return for so many reasons – the simple fact that she would see him again, for one. She almost wanted to cry, she was so happy. She was also excited for him to see her in the state she was in. She wanted him to finally see for himself that she was pregnant with his baby. She was so happy and so excited, in fact, that she was blatantly ignoring the fact that he was only home for three weeks before he was off to China again. Her heart clenched at the thought, but she ignored it: from this moment, she had three weeks with him to look forward to. And every moment of those three weeks would be pure heaven.

She snapped out of her thoughts as a ship pulled into the harbor. Her heart jumped to her throat as she saw the name on the ship's side: The Yotaka. Kenshin's ship.

"SANO!" she called, without looking away from the ship. "It's the Yotaka!"

Sano glanced over as the man at the food stand handed him his change.

"Kuso," he muttered, gathering the food and the change and jogging over to stand behind Kaoru. "How 'bout that," he commented, watching as the ship slowly made its way over to the dock. Kaoru was bouncing faster than before, her impatience growing. Sano chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder. "Better stop hoppin' up and down or that baby's gonna come early." He warned. Kaoru immediately stopped, reverting to biting her lip instead. Sano shook his head, and joined her in watching the ship. It finally docked, and seemed to take even longer to tie up and unload. Kaoru started bouncing again.

"Kuso, Kaoru, stop bounc-"

"Watch your language, Sanosuke!" Kaoru interjected, shooting him a disapproving look as her arms tightened around her belly.

"What, you think it can hear me now?" Sano asked, and Kaoru shushed him.

"Look, people are coming off!" she said, pointing to the ship.

"Well, should we head over there?" Sano asked. Kaoru only shook her head, watching as passengers poured off the ships. Most were Japanese, some dressed traditionally, some in western-style clothing. A few obvious foreigners unloaded, looking disoriented in the Tokyo harbor. At the same moment, both Sano and Kaoru caught sight of a small red-headed person in a worn gray hakama: Kenshin.

Kaoru's breath drew in sharply with a soft "oh", and everything around Kenshin seemed to fall out of focus. Unnoticed by her, Sano slowly backed away, melting into the crowd with a soft grin – he knew when to leave two people alone, and the expecting couple's first reunion after seven months apart was one of those times.

It seemed that Kenshin had spotted Kaoru only moments after she had spotted him. He headed directly towards her, keeping himself at a normal pace, though he wanted to speed up.

There was no need. Kaoru broke into as much of a run as a pregnant woman in a kimono and sandals can, tears streaming happily down her face. She stopped just short of touching him, and let her outreached hands fall gently together in front of her.

"Welcome home, Kenshin," she said, voice breaking as tears continued to stream down her face. No one mistook her for being sad, however, because of the way her eyes shone and how her mouth kept trying to pull itself into a smile. Kenshin smiled too, set down his small pack, and pulled her into a warm hug.

"Its very good to be home," he replied, holding her for several moments. Finally, he pulled back, kissed her, and turned his gaze towards her stomach. "Well," he said, eyes wide. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Different, isn't it?" she asked, grinning. He lowered his hands to her stomach, feeling it as if trying to convince himself it existed.

"Yes," he agreed. "Already seven months along. Last time I saw you, you were tiny."

"Isn't it…"

"Its wonderful, Kaoru." Kenshin assured her, kissing her for emphasis. He smiled down at her so happily that she felt herself blush.

"It is. But I meant… isn't it strange? Two years ago, I barely even knew you. And now…"

"Now we're getting ready for a little one." Kenshin supplied.

"Exactly," Kaoru agreed. She bit her lip, containing a grin, and grabbed his hand. "Come on." She said, tugging his arm gently. "Sanosuke was here a minute ago – everyone's so happy you're back. Oh, I can't wait to get you home! Are you tired?"

Kenshin chuckled, allowing himself to be pulled along.

"A little," he admitted. "But I don't mind seeing my friends before-"

"Nonsense, Kenshin! We all you want rested up as soon as possible. I'll call everyone over for this evening, once you're refreshed, and we can have a welcome back party." She said, clearly thinking aloud. She paused for a moment, and Kenshin caught up with her. "Mou!" she exclaimed suddenly. "That would've been a perfect surprise for you!"

Kenshin chuckled. "You think an old man like me could take that kind of surprise?" he teased.

"Don't be an idiot, you're not an old man," Kaoru retorted, completely energized by the presence of her husband. "Come on, lets get you home." She grabbed his hand and tugged him along. Kenshin smiled softly to himself, allowing his pregnant wife to drag him home.

- - - - - - - - -

Kenshin's welcome home party had been quite a success. Everyone from Ayame and Suzume to Sanosuke and Tae from the Akabeko came, and they all stayed up late eating and drinking and talking.

The next morning, the first morning in 7 months that Kaoru awoke naturally, and not to the sound of Yahiko and Sano arguing over something stupid, she was surprisingly alone. Sitting up quickly, Kaoru looked around. The blankets of the futon she had shared with Kenshin were folded neatly up to her waist. He had already gotten up, she realized.

'Where'd he go to?' she wondered to herself as she very slowly got herself up. She tugged at the tie at the end of her braid and ran her fingers through her sleep - styled hair before re-braiding it neatly back into place. She stopped just as she began to finish, and sniffed the air.

"Aha," she said to herself with a grin. The air was vaguely spicy. Kenshin was in the kitchen. As she searched the room for her dressing robe, she heard the familiar sound of Kenshin's footsteps coming towards her door. The shoji slid open, and a smiling Kenshin holding a tray of warm breakfast came into the bedroom.

"Morning, koiishi." He said.

"Good morning," Kaoru replied, unable to bite back a grin as she tied her dressing robe around her wide belly. She kissed him on the cheek, smiling up at him. "You didn't have to do this…"

"Nonsense," Kenshin replied, ushering her back to the futon. "You've been pregnant for seven months, and you've had to wake up and cook for four every morning. This is the first chance I've had to take care of my pregnant wife like I'm supposed to."

Kaoru giggled, tucking her legs under the blanket.

"If I'd known you were going to pamper me, I'd've gotten pregnant sooner!" she exclaimed, carefully taking the tray he handed her. "Sit with me?"

"Of course." Kenshin replied, kneeling beside the futon.

"This looks amazing, Kenshin!" Kaoru said, eyes wide as she surveyed the meal before her.

"Its only marginally better than your own cooking," he teased lightly. Kaoru scowled at him and jabbed a chopstick into the onigri he had so carefully put together for her.

"How lucky I am to have such a kind and flattering husband," she retorted, unceremoniously shoving a bite of rice into her mouth. "Mmm!" she exclaimed, lightening up immediately. "Not bad, Kenshin!"

"Not… bad?" Kenshin asked, eyes growing wide. He could feel an oro coming on.

"No, not bad at all!" Kaoru exclaimed, eating more vigorously. "Its so nice to have breakfast served to me in the morning – I'm starving when I wake up anyway, but after I've cooked you can hear my stomach all the way in Kyoto!"

"As long as I'm here, you won't be making breakfast at all." Kenshin assured her gently. The corner of Kaoru's mouth twitched, and she swallowed the food in her mouth.

"One more reason for you to stay home," she said, voice strained. Kenshin sighed and put an arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him.

"I know, koishii." He said quietly. "I don't want to leave anymore than you want me to. But I have no choice."

"I understand," Kaoru said quietly after a moment, though she felt like crying and telling him that no, she didn't understand. Kenshin smiled sadly and kissed her on the forehead.

"Thank you."

- - - - - - - - -

As the number of days left until Kenshin departed shortened, Kenshin and Kaoru spent more and more time together alone. Although it was tough, with prompting from Megumi, their friends resisted dropping in to visit whenever they felt like it.

"He's leaving soon," Megumi reasoned. "They need their time alone."

Although the couple didn't understand why their friends suddenly stopped dropping by, they did indeed enjoy their time together. Kaoru followed Kenshin everywhere he went, and likewise he followed her wherever she went. They did their shopping together, went to the beach together, and even toured the finer carts of Tokyo together in the evenings.

Surprisingly, they never once got sick of each other. Kaoru felt so lucky to have that time with him at all that she didn't get mad at his stupid mistakes like she usually would've. It was a time of happy, forced peace, and a mood of tension hung over both of them as they anticipated Kenshin's departure. As their weeks together became days, Kaoru grew more and more clingy, refusing to let go of his hand even on public outings to pick up groceries.

Their last night together was a long one, and the following morning even longer. Husband and wife had risen early; Kenshin to pack and make breakfast for Kaoru one last time, and Kaoru so they could spend his remaining hours in Tokyo together.

While Kaoru carefully re-washed a few of his things, Sano, Megumi, and Yahiko stopped by to wish Kenshin a good voyage.

"Like I keep telling ya, Kenshin, if you need any help at all, just send for me." Sano said, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

"That I will," Kenshin said, smiling as he usually would.

"You're coming back, right?" Yahiko asked, looking distraught. "You know Kaoru doesn't do well without you, and with the baby…"

"I'm coming back, Yahiko." Kenshin assured the younger boy gently. I'm sure they'll let me come back when its born, so you have Megumi-dono write me when its about time, alright?"

"Yeah, alright," Yahiko mumbled, satisfied with the answer. Kenshin ruffled his hair.

"You'll look after her, Megumi-dono?" he asked, raising his eyes to her. Megumi smiled sadly.

"You don't need to ask, Kenshin. The three of us have got you covered."

"Alright, then. I'll see you in a few months," Kenshin told his friends, bowing as they left the dojo. Kenshin sighed. Leaving was always hard. It had been impossible to leave Kaoru for Kyoto, and he knew it was going to be just as hard, if not harder, to leave her again this time. Just seeing those big blue eyes fill with tears was enough to make any man forget his duties… with a sigh, Kenshin reentered the dojo.

"I thought I heard Sano's voice," Kaoru mentioned as she folded Kenshin's clothes on the floor in their bedroom.

"Yes. Sano, Megumi, and Yahiko came to say goodbye."

"That was kind of them."

"Indeed it was. Are you ready to go?"

Kaoru looked up at him, eyes wide.

"Already?" she asked, voice wavering. Kenshin knelt beside her, helping to put his clean, folded clothes into his rucksack.

"The Yotaka arrives anytime between 7 and 9, Kaoru," he replied gently.

"I know… I just… I'm ready." Kaoru's throat felt tight, as if she were about to cry. "Are you?"

"Yes. Let's head to the warf."

- - - - - - - - - -

When they arrived to the nearly empty Tokyo harbor, the seas were empty of any passenger ships, let alone the Yotaka. Finding a bench against a fish shop to sit, Kenshin set down his bag and quickly moved to help Kaoru sit down.

"Its strange that I need help doing little things like sitting and standing up," Kaoru commented lightly, though the tightness had not left her throat.

"It is," Kenshin agreed, sitting down next to her. "Kaoru…" he began, knowing the conversation he was about to start would make his pregnant wife cry. "I know you're worried about having the baby without me – "

As he had foreseen, the tears Kaoru had been working so hard to suppress started to well.

" – but I want you to know that I'm going to do everything I can to be back before it's born," he finished quickly.

"In two months?" Kaoru choked out. "Kenshin, you know they won't let you come back after just two months…" the tears were falling freely now.

"I know you think Saitoh-san is heartless, koiishi, but I guarantee I can get him to let me come home early, and Nariakira's a family man. As long as I tell him that we're expecting, I'm sure he'll let me come home."

"Kenshin, you shouldn't tell me that!" Kaoru sobbed quietly into his shoulder.

"Why not, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked in astonishment, brushing her hair out of her tear-soaked face.

"You know know for sure, Kenshin, " she said, voice muffled. "What if I believe you, and it turns out they need you right before I go into labor? Then I'll have to deliver our baby by myself, and it won't know its father…"

"Kaoru, don't be silly," Kenshin said, voice turning sturn only because he couldn't handle the weakness in her voice. "You're the strongest woman I know. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't think you could handle the times when we have to be apart. And even if I'm not there when our child is brought onto the earth – and I'm going to try as hard as I can to be – then I'll be there soon after. So don't worry, alright?" his voice cracked as he finished; he couldn't maintain his "severity". Kaoru sniffled.

"Alright, Kenshin. I'll be strong. But I'm going to be upset with you if you miss this," she said, wrapping her arms around her belly. Kenshin kissed her there.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he told her softly, brushing the hair off her face again just as the horn for the Yotaka sounded.

"Goodbye, Kenshin," Kaoru said miserably.

"Be strong, Kaoru. I know you can do it." Kenshin said, looking deep into her eyes. "I love you." And he kissed her, a little rougher than necessary, as if to make his point. "I'll see you soon, Kaoru." He added in a whisper, looking meaningfully into her eyes.

And with that, he was gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: Forgive me for descrepancies with Japanese culture. I need to do more research.

ChibiKenshin6490: I'm so glad you think I keep Kenshin and Kaoru in character; it something I work very hard to do. Sorry this took so long!

Vashsunglasses: I'm really flattered that you're so excited about this story! I know what you mean about Reflections; I think most people dislike them because the ending is kinda sad. But its also really happy, too! Just kind of bittersweet… anyways, thanks for the kind review!

Kenshinnohk: I'm sorry if that part was confusing; basically, Kaoru could tell that Kenshin was about to tell her he had to leave. And he did. I just didn't really state it outright. Thanks for the review!

Royal blueKitsune: Cliché is fun. And yeah, this is my way of giving the OVA's a little more fluff and less… death. Lol. Thanks for the review!

Yumedamasu: hehe, yay, your wish came true! Kenshin came back… and then left again. Anyway, I'm glad you like my story! Thanks for the review.

Stephanieff: don't worry, nobody dies in this fic. I'm glad you enjoyed last chapter, and I hope you like this one too! Thanks for the kind review!

Moonkid3734: Thanks for the kind review, and sorry it took so long to update… writer's block is pretty powerful, is my only weak excuse.

Gypsy-chan: Sano's one of my favorite characters, there's something really irresistible about him. I particularly love writing about him, he's such a fun guy. So I'm glad you like that I included him. Also, your review(s) were so kind! I'm really glad you like this story, and I hope you didn't mind waiting too long for this chapter. I'm glad you think I expressed their love well – its something that's important to me, because Kenshin isn't as adept at showing it as Kaoru is, but I don't doubt that he loves her just as much. Thanks for the review!

Unicornfan: Haha, I'm glad you can enjoy my story despite the OVA-ness. Actually, its not so much based on the OVAs as it is my own personal view of Kenshin and Kaoru after the story ends. I haven't read the end of the manga yet (I eagerly await the release of each new book, I have up to 23 right now), but I'm excited. I mostly wrote this to counterbalance the depression of the OVA's and the weird/nondescript ending of the anime. I was kinda disappointed by the end of the anime, not gonna lie. It was like a scenic advertisement for Japan, lol. I'm exaggerating, but it didn't finish things off well enough for me. On the historic mistakes in this story – yeah, I knew someone would call me on them. I, too, am a studier of Japanese culture and history, but I couldn't really see Kenshin and Kaoru living happily together without interruption. As happy as they deserve to be, their relationship, at least I don't think, will ever be exactly easy. I just needed a place to send Kenshin, and behold, the OVA's supplied China for me. Anyways, though, thanks for your feedback!

Ayumi-dono: it definitely was rushed, but I thought if I kept doing their letters, the chapter would get repetitive. I'm glad you like the story anyway, though, and thanks for the review!

Joker: hehe, I'm glad you liked the ending of chapter 4. I definitely stole it from the ending of Tamora Pierce's "Wild Magic", though. Not word for word, but the general idea. Thanks for the review!

Shadow Sacrifice: Oh, I'm glad you liked when Megumi delivered the news! I was worried it'd be too obvious. I'm also glad you liked that chapter, cause I had doubts about it. Thanks for the review!

Mahochan: Thank you! I'm really glad you like my story, and I hope you didn't mind the wait!

So many reviews! I thank you all, and also MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!